Information

Cinder+Smoke

As a child, Janna Clearwater loved rummaging through the closets of her Grandmother’s farmhouse in rural Manitoba. Filled to burst with dresses from the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s, all lovingly designed and sewn by her Grandmother, Aunt and Mother. Being surrounded by such creative women at an early age, it only seemed natural that she would want to learn everything there was to know about designing and sewing her own clothes as well. And so, after a childhood and adolescence spent reworking vintage dresses, sewing from commercial patterns and altering every piece of clothing she owned, she eventually developed the skills to draft and sew from her own handmade patterns.

Starting with a small collection of one-of-a-kind tshirts, Janna began selling at the Saturday Farmers Market on 104 street in Edmonton in 2007. Demand grew, not only for the tshirts but for other pieces as well and in the Spring of 2008, Janna launched her first bi-annual collection of dresses, blouses & tops under the label, cinder+smoke.

Inspired by the silhouettes of past decades, a love of vintage fabrics and the utmost attention to quality and construction, cinder+smoke can be found in boutiques from Montreal to Vancouver Island. But even as cinder+smoke continues to grows, Janna still loves to sell her handmade dresses herself at Farmers’ Markets and seasonal Craft Fairs in Edmonton, setting up a little tented boutique, along with change room, right there on the street. Markets also give Janna the opportunity to meet and chat with the women who wear her clothing, which is one of the most rewarding parts for her of the entire design, construction and production process.
Finding that special little dress the perfect new home!

For weekly photo updates along with upcoming farmers market dates and events, go to www.cinderandsmoke.com or search cinder+smoke on Facebook.